The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Mellow Dawn Lund
It’s understandable that when people feel underappreciated, they get defensive. That sentiment seems to run through Fletcher McCusker’s recent opinion piece defending Rio Nuevo’s role in downtown Tucson’s development. On one hand, I can appreciate his pride in the accomplishments made. Many of us, me included, recognize that real progress has happened. But the issue is more nuanced — and more frustrating — than McCusker allows.
First, let’s address the central claim: that Rio Nuevo is responsible for over 100 small businesses downtown. That number is questionable, especially since McCusker’s list includes businesses that no longer exist, and in some cases, haven’t for years. While it’s tempting to pad statistics to strengthen an argument, doing so only alienates those of us on the ground — the very small business owners who’ve hustled daily for years to build this community.
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Take, for example, the much-publicized small business grant program. Grants of “up to $25,000” were advertised. Most recipients, however, received $2,500. That amount barely covers a month’s rent, let alone capital improvements, marketing, or wages for growth. It’s a kind gesture, but it doesn’t reflect the scale or tone of the announcement. In a $2 million funding round, that’s 800 grants of $2,500 — or 80 if everyone received the full amount. Either way, it feels more like PR than genuine economic development. The heart of this issue lies in how Rio Nuevo defines its mission.
Its stated goal is to “revitalize downtown Tucson” and foster an urban environment where people can live, work, and play. Yet, in practice, Rio Nuevo has focused narrowly on capital improvements and real estate development —often favoring building owners or developers, not the tenants or small business operators who give downtown its character.
Let’s not forget: Many of these small businesses are the very reason tourists and locals alike flock downtown. We donate to events, build relationships, and create culture. Without us, there is no “destination.”
And yet, Rio Nuevo’s funding model excludes us unless we’re lucky enough to own a building or fit into their capital expenditure mold. That rigidity not only limits creativity and economic resilience, it funnels money to the same few property owners — some of whom offer only short-term leases or fail to reinvest in tenant success.
It’s no wonder that some of Tucson’s most interesting and community-focused growth is happening around downtown, in neighborhoods like Fourth Avenue, North 6th Ave, Sunshine Mile or the Mercado District. These areas often support longer leases, local ownership, and tenant partnerships — values that some Rio Nuevo-backed developers seem to overlook.
Then there’s the elephant in the room: Live Nation. The world’s largest entertainment company doesn’t need a handout. And yet, Rio Nuevo is entertaining a subsidy to help house their Punch Line Comedy Club — a move that feels like a betrayal to many of us. Especially when it’s happening in a building where local institutions like Borderlands and Playformance were forced out after years of contributing to the community.
McCusker claims Rio Nuevo doesn’t get involved in landlord-tenant relationships, yet proudly touts that they “would help” existing tenants move. That doesn’t erase the optics: local businesses, some of which asked for long-term leases for years, are now being displaced for a predatory corporation with deep pockets. When those tenants fail to get the support they need, it doesn’t just feel like abandonment — it feels like an insult.
The bigger concern is how little transparency exists. Executive sessions, tiered boards, and vague reporting make it hard to track who receives what and why. Try finding a detailed accounting of Rio Nuevo’s financial support. Good luck. There is no clear, public-facing explanation of how decisions are made, who benefits, or whether outcomes meet community goals.
McCusker points to accolades from Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast as validation. That’s great. But look at what those guides actually celebrate: food, music, culture, and vibrancy — not new hotels or corporate entertainment.
The very businesses and cultural touchstones Rio Nuevo downplays are the ones drawing national attention. Take BATA or Leo Kent. These are singular exceptions, not justification for sweeping claims. Several of the arts and music venues that form much of Tucson’s cultural backbone — Rialto Theatre, 191 Toole, The Hotel Congress and the soon-to-be Teatro Carmen — have thrived without disproportionate support. In fact, some are situated just outside Rio Nuevo’s boundaries and still outperform properties receiving millions. These venues deserve equal investment — not to be undermined by national competition subsidized with public funds.
And here’s where we need to pause and reflect. Is this really the best version of Tucson’s downtown we can build? One where corporate entities are invited in with open arms, while the homegrown businesses are left to fend for themselves? One where “increasing the sales tax base” is a blank check that could justify just about anything? That’s not revitalization. That’s commodification.
What many of us want is balance — investment that includes infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Development that values people, not just properties. Growth that reflects Tucson, not Austin, Portland, or San Diego.
McCusker’s own quote — “any development in our geography that increases the sales tax base” — is not a mission. It’s a loophole. And it’s being used to transform our downtown into a destination for tourists at the expense of the people who already live and work here.
No one is saying development is bad. But development without accountability, vision, or community participation risks turning Tucson into a shell of itself. The fox, in this case, isn’t just in the henhouse — it was invited in, subsidized, and handed the keys.
It’s time for Rio Nuevo to course correct:
● Open the books.
● Invite public discussion beyond formality.
● Include tenants — not just property owners — in strategic planning.
● Recognize that revitalization means supporting people as much as projects.
We don’t need more wordy defenses or padded lists of shuttered shops. We need Rio Nuevo to live up to the full promise of its mission to build a downtown that works for all of us.
Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.
Mellow Dawn Lund is a co-owner of local small business MAST for fifteen years, local downtown resident, former Playformance parent and, she says, a fierce lover of her shared community.
